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8/12/2015 Denver Online High School August Newsletter
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AUGUSTNewsletter
Fresh Start.A blank canvas. A new path. An unwritten melody.
That's what the beginning of a school year is: a fresh start. Whether you'rea new student coming to Denver Online for the first time, or a returningstudent who already has learned the ropes of online school, the start of theyear begins an opportunity to create something great. Regardless of ourbackgrounds or what brought us to this moment, we all have an opportunityto start a new and improved YOU. As we head back into the academic year,how can you be living the Denver Online DO MORE motto? How can youpaint your canvas, walk a new path, or write your melody this year?Welcome back and welcome to your fresh start!
Student Highlight
In This Newsletter
Student HighlightPrincipal CornerLatest NewsUpcoming EventsWays to Get InvolvedSocial Media &Marketing
Stay Connected
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Famous baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan once said, "One of the beautiful thingsabout baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation whereyou want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something."
For Denver Online High School senior Keisha Reim, this seems to be atheme she has lived by both on and off the field.
The eighteen‐year‐old has played softball competitively for six years. But itwasn't without some trials along the way. "I've had a total of four surgeries,"she said. The pitcher noted surgeries to repair an ankle tendon tear, a SLAPtear on a previously sprained shoulder, and a torn meniscus and ACL. "I'djust be walking and boom, I'd hit the floor. It would just give out," she saidabout her knee.
The athlete also described another setback she has had to fight through:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. The syndrome caused a bundle of nervesunderneath her clavicle to be pinched, causing shooting pains to run up herarm. When it flared up, she said, "I couldn't even hold a pen. It would put mein tears." For a softball player, these injuries caused some major obstacles.But with a slight change to her throwing form, the pitcher learned how tocompensate for the injuries.
Just as she has learned to keep focus on the baseball field amidst disruptiveinjuries, Reim has also learned how to block all distraction and channel herconcentration during distressing moments in the medical field. Starting pre‐requisites for nursing at fifteen, the graduating high school senior learnedearly on that working with trauma patients was something she wasnaturally skilled at. Noting an incident where an elderly woman had a severe
Contact Us
Principal Ian Jones720‐424‐[email protected]
Counselor Casey 720‐424‐[email protected]
Marketing &CommunicationsSpecialist Kaci [email protected]
Denver Online HSSmedley Learning Center4250 Shoshone St.Denver, CO 80211Tel: (720) 424‐8281Fax: (720) 424‐8279
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head wound, she said, "I was really calm. I never freeze up. I know what Ineed to do and I get it done."
Just as most of us would waver on a pitcher's mound if the game was on theline, so too would we falter when someone's actual life was in our hands.But for Reim, these moments are where she shines. "It's kind of like anadrenaline rush. It's one of the most calming times to be in a traumasituation," she said.
Reim came to Denver Online High School in tenth grade from anotheronline program. "The online school I'd been in since third grade didn't offercollege courses," she said. However, through Denver Online's concurrentenrollment program, Reim was able to enroll in college courses tuition‐free,now graduating high school with forty college credits also under her beltfrom Morgan Community College.
"I've always felt like I was a college student first," she said, capitalizing onthe ability to fit online high school courses around concurrent enrollmentcollege classes. Concurrent enrollment also set her up to be eligible for theCollege First program that she will take advantage of this next year. In thisprogram, students can go to a Colorado community college tuition‐free foran entire year. The opportunity to earn so many college courses tuition‐freeallowed Reim to get a major head‐start towards her ultimate goal ofbecoming a trauma nurse and paramedic both, eventually going on to gether Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Even though her parents gave her the option to attend a brick‐and‐mortarhigh school, she elected to stay online, explaining, "I chose to stayhomeschooled. There's more flexibility and I get to go at my own pace."
While she has been an online student for the majority of her school career,she noted the difference between her education versus her friends'schooling at more traditional schools, saying, "The one thing I noticed isthat I did a lot more things than other kids." Reim was able to go on manytrips with her dad who is a truck‐driver, completing schoolwork on the roador from different states. She also was able to actively participate in GirlScouts, once selling 2,400 boxes of cookies in a single year; participate inDenver Online High School's National Honor Society where she workedwith the Denver Rescue Mission, helped organize the school dance, andlead first‐aid/CPR workshops for and gave gifts to the younger Girl Scouts;play high school sports at Akron; and become active in the Red Cross.
Whether it was fighting through injuries on the baseball field, juggling highschool and college courses, or efficiently working with trauma patients,Reim has proven that she flourishes during significant moments. While notall students will go into career fields like Reim where actual lives are on theline, Denver Online High School hopes to help all students find their focus intheir own fields. Because one of the most beautiful plays we can make as a
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school is inspiring students to find opportunities where they want to, andwhere they have to, reach down and prove something.
See his full student highlight story here.
PRINCIPAL CORNERIt's always exciting to start up a new school year! The first day of school isAugust 24th. Students will hear from their advisor and homeroom teacherbetween now and then. As we enter the 2015‐16 school year, we have somecelebrations, a few changes, and busy days ahead for staff and students! Denver Online celebrated the graduation of 60 students last year and havebeen sharing the success stories of many of our current students over thesummer. We recently received the results of last year's ACT test (11th
graders) and our students are once again performing above the Stateaverage as a whole and significantly better than the State average inReading. Participation in the MAP assessment among the Denver Onlinestudent body improved above the previous three years, providing theDenver Online instructional team opportunities to better meet the needs ofour students. Thank you for the feedback you provided the State as all highschools will see a decreased testing load this year with the majority takingplace in 9th grade (CMAS). ACT Aspire (10th) and the Colorado ACT (11th)will continue to be used, in addition to the MAP benchmark assessmentsfor all grade levels. Specific results and testing plans will be shared as thefirst quarter continues. As we launch the year, it's important that families are mindful of a fewchanges and improvements that have been made at Denver Online. Overthe summer, we welcomed our new neighbors, Denver MontessoriJunior/Senior High School to the Smedley Campus. This allowed us tomove some administrative offices to the main floor and re‐configure theSmedley Learning Center. First of all, we will share the main entrance withDenver Montessori and students will check‐in and check‐out through theadministrative office. Downstairs will include new spaces for StudentServices, an Advising Center, a Teacher Collaboration space, and a newStudy Lounge, complete with couches, vending machines, and somecomfortable furniture. The vision is that this will be a space for students tomeet, study, and enjoy. Finally, the school will be constructing an artstudio for students on the second floor where students can work on projectsas part of our new Art classes. The addition of these spaces will make therequired connection days much more comfortable, focused, and fruitful forstudents. Of course, we'll need input on décor and additional amenities. Denver Montessori's Culinary Arts program will be running the cafeteria; sostudents should look forward to some good food as the year progresses. Inaddition to space improvements, our instructional team has been busy
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developing new courses in Schoology. This year, all digital instruction will take place within the Schoologylearning management system. Schoology provides us the opportunity tocommunicate, collaborate and build the culture of our community. Within the Schoology community, students will utilize course resourcesfrom Apex, ThinkCERCA, Kahn Academy, and a variety of other resourcesto ensure the rigor and flexibility needed to engage with the ColoradoAcademic Standards. Starting on August 24, all students will be enrolled inan online homeroom course. Each homeroom course will be facilitated bya teacher and students will receive advisement credit by engaging withlessons focused on study skills, college/career readiness, community‐building, and current issues. New students will be introduced to the courseduring Orientation Week and returning students will learn about it duringthe required returning student orientation webinars or by attending theOpen House (Aug. 19th). I am very excited to create, with you, a vibrant,creative, and productive digital space with all of you this year! Please checkthe calendar and jot down specific dates/times so that you are sure toparticipate in the beginning‐of‐year activities! It's only natural that we've got a lot going on at Denver Online! Ourstudents "Do More!" Over the next two weeks, students should plan toattend orientation (face‐to‐face for new, webinar or Open House forreturning) and their respective connection day (9th/10th, 11th, or 12th). We'd love to connect with our families at least at one or two of our eventsover the next few weeks (Open House/Game Night, Back‐to‐School BBQ,Parent Orientation, Collaborative School Committee Meeting, etc.). Checkout the calendar here. Enjoy the remainder of your summer, my friends. See you soon!
Latest News ...
$3,500 Groove Mazda Grant Awarded to DOHSWith the help of Denver Online parent, Kirsten Todd, Denver Online appliedfor and received a large grant from the Groove Drive for EducationProgram. The grant will go towards purchasing video equipment and videoediting software for the school.
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Upcoming Events
Informational Video Meeting about DOHS What: We are hosting a series of informational meetings for allstudents and/or parents interested in learning more about DenverOnline High School. These events are specifically for individuals whoare not currently attending our school. Who: These informational meetings are for students and families whoare not currently a part of Denver Online High School. Invite yourfriends to attend one of the sessions who may be interested inlearning more about Denver Online!When: Wednesday, August 12th, August 19th, September 2nd,September 9th, September 16th, September 23rd, 6:30pm‐7pmWhere: Meeting attendees should goto https://dpsonline.zoom.us/j/7424198651
Bring‐A‐Friend Game Night/Open House
What: We will have some Wii games to play on the big screen, somesweet board and card games, and pizza and pop! Who: Anyone who'd like to attend come on by! Current students,recently graduated students, incoming students, or interestedstudents... all welcome!When: Wednesday, August 19th, 7:30pm‐9:30pm
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Where: Smedley (4250 Shoshone Street, Denver, CO 80211)
RETURNING Student Required Re‐OrientationWhat: Denver Online will be hosting 4 opportunities for RETURNINGstudents to attend a required re‐orientation. Students may choose toattend the Open House or one of the virtual webinar sessions. Who: This is required of all RETURNING students (new students donot need to attend these events but will be required to attend NewStudent Orientation starting August 24th instead)When:
Open House/Game Night with pizza, Smedley Learning Center,August 19th, 7:30pm‐9pm (please get there promptly at7:30pm)Returning Student Webinar, August 20th, 9:30amReturning Student Webinar, August 21st, noonReturning Student Webinar, August 24th, 6:30pm
Where: The Open House/Game Night with pizza will take place atSmedley Learning Center (4250 Shoshone Street, Denver, CO80211) starting in the auditoriumTo attend the webinars, please click the following link to bringyou into the virtual session at the time of the webinar:https://dpsonline.zoom.us/j/9213164966
New S TUDENT OrientationWhat: Student Orientation prepares students to be successful byintroducing them to the online programs, their teachers and peers,ways to get involved in the school, and extra credit earningopportunities.Who: This is a mandatory three‐day orientation for all new incomingstudents so please ensure that you mark your calendars for thisevent. Parents may attend this orientation but are not required to bethere. We instead highly encourage parents attend the New ParentOrientation (see below). When: August 24th‐26th. Students have been assigned to either themorning session (9am‐1pm) or the afternoon session (1pm‐5pm); thesession time they have been assigned to is located in their welcomeemail about being accepted into Denver Online. Where: Smedley Learning Center (4250 Shoshone Street, Denver, CO80211) Contact: If you have any questions concerning New StudentOrientation, please contact Instructional Coordinator JenniferWiebesiek ([email protected]).
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First Day of 1st Quarter of 2015‐16 School YearWhat: School is back in session for the beginning of 1st quarter of the2015‐16 school year on August 24th. When: Monday, August 24th
New PARENT OrientationWhat: This orientation teaches parents how to navigate the onlineprograms so that they can monitor their student's progress, grades,and attendance. It also introduces parents to faculty at DenverOnline, to other parents, and to special opportunities for parents andtheir students (e.g. volunteer opportunities, tuition‐free collegecredit, committees to serve on, etc).Who: We strongly encourage all new parents to attend this event.When: Wednesday, August 26th from 6pm‐8pmWhere: Smedley Learning Center (4250 Shoshone Street, Denver, CO80211) RSVP: Please RSVP at the following link by August 25th to ensurethat your parent accounts will be created in time for ParentOrientation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7YYBYRV
Back to School BBQWhat: Come celebrate the beginning of the new school year with apotluck‐style bbq! DOHS will be providing hamburgers and somedrinks. Please bring a side dish of your choice to share! There will besome activities for families and a chance to mingle with other familiesand the DOHS faculty.Who: All DOHS families invited to come!When: Thursday, August 27th, 5pm‐7pmWhere: Smedley Learning Center outside (4250 Shoshone St.,Denver, CO 80211)
RTD Informational PresentationWhat: RTD will be presenting to DOHS about how to effectively usethe RTD system so that students and parents can feel more confidentand at ease using the transportation system, especially when gettingto and from school. As the representatives will mostly be answeringdirect questions from students/parents, please send a list of allquestions you'd like RTD to answer to Kaci Sintek([email protected]) by August 20th.Who: All students and parents welcome to joinWhen: Thursday, September 10th, 10amWhere: Smedley Learning Center (42450 Shoshone Street, Denver,CO 80211)
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See Full Calendar
Get InvolvedClubs
Join one of our great clubs! Get involved while meeting some new friendsalong the way. Just contact the club leader to get a schedule of clubmeetings and upcoming events.
National Honor Society‐Casey Burton([email protected]) Gender Sexual Alliance‐Jessica Kammerling([email protected]) Gaming Club‐Art Bell([email protected]) Book Club‐Jessica Glynn ([email protected])Writing Club‐Jessica Glynn ([email protected])Running Club‐Julie Capp ([email protected])Art Club‐Julie Capp ([email protected])
Social MediaHave some fun with us on our social media sites! We have monthlyFacebook and Twitter competitions that are easy to be a part of, and youmight even win some free stuff along the way! Facebook: Like our page on Facebook to make sure you get all of the latestinformation about our school events/special dates and competitions. May Facebook Competition WinnersWe had two winners for the May facebook competition! Ashley Kahl andKaylen Pedro congratulations on both winning a free pair of movie tickets! Thank you for participating and for tagging your friends in our facebookposts. Summer Facebook Competition
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Summer can be full of adventures if you're living the Denver Online HighSchool DO MORE motto! So where does your road lead you this summer?Will you serve across seas, take a trek on the water, cheer on your favoriteband in concert, hit up a Rockies game, or see new sights? Maybe you'llpaint a mural, practice a skate board trick, earn some cash working, climb a14er, or bake with your grandma. Whatever the DO MORE motto looks likefor you this summer, we want to see it in action! Post your photos on ourfacebook page or leave your comments on our page about how you're livingthe DO MORE motto this summer for your chance to win a pair of freemovie passes!
Don't have a facebook page? No problem. Just submit your photos arecomments to Kaci Sintek ([email protected]) to participate.
Twitter: All you need to do to win is if you see your name in a DOHSTwitter post, contact the school within 48 hours to claim a prize!
Tumblr: Check out our blog with longer articles about our highlightedstudents and recent events. Photobucket: Check out a plethora of photos from our events andstudent highlights. You might just see some of yourself!
Have an idea? Send it my way.
DO MORE. LIVE in your world, LEARN in ours
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